The Connector

Charge Conference


Thank you to everyone who attended Charge Conference on Saturday! It was so wonderful to see all of you! A big thank you to Wadsworth UMC & Rev. Don Ebert for their hospitality & being gracious hosts :)


2023 Budgets are due to the District Office no later than December 1st. 


DS Lewis will be out of the office October 26 through November 7 to attend a conference in Iowa & the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Indiana.

District News

Church and Community Transformation

 

“Like all organizations, you have fallen into certain patterns of operation, some good and some not… you have two choices: to continue to do what you always have done or to reorganize…” Michael Gecan, Professional Community Organizer of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation

 

If Michael Gecan’s statement resonated with you then, you are invited to one of three basic trainings - Church and Community Transformation - offered by Dr. Angela Cowser, Associate Dean of Black Church Studies and DMin programs at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary, and the “Thriving Congregations” Cohort members.


In this two day training, you will be introduced to some basics of church and community transformation, to begin to discern the role of the congregation or charge that you are part of in this work, and to learn how this is part of what God calls us to when we pray “Thy kingdom come.” 


It is highly recommended that participants come in teams that have both clergy and lay.   Lay members should be leaders within the church- not limited to ‘official’ leaders but those dedicated and faithful leaders who believe in the power of the church and who will be listened to in the broader congregation. Cost is just $15 at person!


Register you and your team for one of the following workshops. The workshops are hosted in three district but people from all districts are welcome and encouraged to attend:


Seville Community Food Pantry


Date: Third Saturday of each month

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.


74 West Main Street, Seville, OH 44273

Wedgewood Community Food Pantry


Date: 2nd Monday of the month

Times: 11 am - 3:30 pm


2350 Wedgewood Dr., Akron

Trinity Action Project (TAP) Grants
Application Process for TAP - Any program/project from a Canal District local church that very clearly relates to the mission and vision of the Conference may submit an application. Funds for mission purposes are intended as “Seed Money” to be used as start-up funds to help initiate ministry and mission outreach. Programs/projects will be funded for a maximum of 3 years. Applications will have a specific plan and/or strategy for a program/project, a clearly defined method(s) in which the funds will be used, and a method for decreasing the “seed money” funding over the 3 year period. TAP Grant funding may not be used for capital expenditures or clergy salaries. Churches applying for a multi-year grant will submit a new application each year.

For an application go to: www.eocumc.com/canal/grants-scholarships

Wespath FAQ


Wespath, the benefits and pension partner of the UMC, continues to focus on continuity of benefits for those who serve and the impact of disaffiliations on pensions, benefits and liabilities funding. FAQs are updated periodically.


Link to Wespath FAQ

East Ohio Conference E-News
Find the information about what is happening throughout the East Ohio Conference through the biweekly newsletter. From appointments to mission opportunities to events....

See the latest E-News from HERE.
Around the Canal District & East Ohio

Click the image below to see all the amazing work South St Ministries is doing!

Safe Sanctuaries


Join in on this online course that covers the basics of Safe Sanctuaries. Rev Gary Jones walks participants through the what is it, the why we do it, and common elements. This is a great course for churches reviewing or creating their policies, for ministry team leads, and for anyone working with vulnerable persons in your faith community.    


Enroll anytime at https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/#/online-courses/409157e8-86de-49c2-b36a-306010758353

Strategic Ministries


New Online Learning Platform

We are excited to share with you about another tool that your Connectional Ministries Office now has to help resource you and your church as we invite all to join our online learning platform! Designed for both lay and clergy this is a way to have learning happen on your own schedule. There are already many courses available from other conferences that we are in partnership with and in coming months we will be adding more and more of our own content. 

Registration is at: https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/?KeyName=EO%20Sign%20UP


We just launched our Charge Conference course. This course would be particularly helpful to new clergy or lay who have not dealt with the paperwork before. The chapters can be done in any order so they can just engage with the parts that they want. https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/#/online-courses/62d66c8a-512d-4b47-8587-349480a00f86



Among the courses, make sure to check out Rule of Christ. This resource helps learners to explore how to manage conflict in their church. While churches with new pastoral appointments should make sure to review this class, it can bring value to every faith community. https://eocumc.myabsorb.com/#/online-courses/8ba13648-889e-411c-857d-099495709b69


Rule of Christ Trainer Training - If you are interested in becoming a trainer for Rule of Christ please register here.

EOC Young People's Ministries


There are two events coming up for Young People's Ministries:


  1. Project Feed Service Project: Sunday, November 13 2:00 p.m. @ Wadsworth Middle School 


Watch for more information soon!

Positions Available

Brunswick UMC is searching for a Christian Ministry Coordinator. The Coordinator oversees and directs all aspects of Christian Education for adults, youth ministries, and children’s ministries, and manages the development and growth of the Christian Education Program at BUMC. This position is part-time, 20-24 hours per week. Click here for a full job description. To apply, please send resume and cover letter via e-mail or by mail to Brunswick United Methodist Church, PO Box 85, Brunswick, Ohio 44212.

Grandview UMC in Cuyahoga Falls is looking for Volunteers (Missions Teams, Youth Groups, Sunday School Teachers, Confirmation Classes, etc.) to lead children's Sunday school in our Nepali language worship service Sunday afternoons from 3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. This could include a Bible lesson, games, snacks, music, etc. and your lessons will be lead in English. Interested? Contact David Hull-Frye by email.

Hudson UMC is taking applications to fill its full-time Director of Family Ministries.  We are seeking a dynamic person who will be responsible for leading, developing, engaging, inspiring, motivating, and coordinating Christian ministries with children, youth, adults, and families in spiritual growth, relationship formation, and community outreach.  In addition, he or she will provide leadership for children, youth, adults, and family ministries focusing on Christian Education, intergenerational programs and mission service projects. Preferred candidates will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology, Christian Education, Christian Ministry, or a related degree; ministry service experience that includes working closely with children, youth, adults, and families; proven leadership and management skills; strong presentation and teaching skills; strong relational and team-building skills; and strong communication skills. See the following link for the position description. Interested individuals can apply for this position by emailing a resume to sprc@hudsonumc.com.

Seville UMC is hiring an Administrative Assistant. The job is 20 hours a week. Monday through Thursday (Hours can be flexible.) Some of the duties are communicating with the groups of the church and the members, preparing the bulletins for Sunday morning, writing checks and the bookkeeping for the church, keeping the files up to date, scheduling meetings, a monthly newsletter, filing quarterly and yearly reports, scheduling the ushers and Lay Liturgists, and many other things. If you are interested in learning more about this position, please call the

church office at 330-769-2836 or talk to someone on the SPRC committee. Interested resumes can be sent to Subject: Administrative Assistant via email.

Items Available
Hudson UMC has 18 Gojo soap dispensers that they can’t use. They are new and they would like to give them to any churches who might need them. Can you send an email out, or put something in the newsletter? First come first serve. If interested, please contact Gary by email.

Uniontown UMC has choir robes available to whomever needs some. If interested, please email the church.

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Please submit your request for publication of an event, job ad, or announcement to Megan at canaltuscdistoffice@eocumc.com by Thursday at 12:00 noon to run in the following Monday's newsletter. Please be aware that the less words the better and please note that flyers are not always easily readable in this format.

Please share this newsletter widely and encourage those that would like to receive it directly to share their contact email with the District Office.
The Connector
Official Publication of the Canal District East Ohio Conference —
The United Methodist Church

Canal District Office
8800 Cleveland Avenue NW, North Canton, OH 44720
Phone: (330) 499-3972 ext. 106